I'm realizing now as I read through the synopsis - one of our local theaters - Penumbra - an awesome black theater - did a production called Gospel atI'm realizing now as I read through the synopsis - one of our local theaters - Penumbra - an awesome black theater - did a production called Gospel at Colonus that invovled this story. I saw it and it was just amazing, mostly musically. I remember the gouging of the eyes and just that pinnacle of pain. Ok, now I'm all set to read with daughter's english class..

My edition is different, but doesn't seem to have an ISBN #, so oh well. It's got the Oedipus Plays of Sophocles - Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone. By Plume. Translation by Paul Roche.

Ok, my daughter zipped through this already and is done with it, completely done, and there were no conversations in this case. It was fascinating to dip into it briefly, but to do it justice would take more time than I have right now. So, for now I'm marking it as past, rather than current. Will explore/read more another day....more

After fresh re-read, August 2010:I am very glad to have finally re-read this! It was fascinating for itself, and then also for comparing it now to myAfter fresh re-read, August 2010:I am very glad to have finally re-read this! It was fascinating for itself, and then also for comparing it now to my memories of it and experiences of it when I'd read it before.Many aspects that had really bothered me before - much of the content set in asylums - didn't *bother* me as much this time. Not that I didn't respond to it as negative and all. But with the passage of time, I think we build up a sense of ourselves and our place in the world, and that structure gives comfort which I didn't yet possess back then, an accumulated vantage point. I think about that a lot in the process of being a mother, selecting shared experiences with my daughter based on an assessment of where she's at, etc.. Anyway, I was even more positively affected this time by her utopia - she weaves in so many things that are only just now becoming topics of conversation in the mainstream, many that haven't yet been as well. I was really curious in this reading to discover and identify her suggested answer, suggested path, suggested response to 'all that's going on', and, after finishing, I'm not sure I can exactly identify it. I'm not sure Marge actually provides that on a silver platter. At one point midway through, the utopia folks speak of rejecting the idea of revolution, and instead speaking to change happening slowly through the actions of individuals etc..; but at the end, the action she herself (Connie) takes isn't at all a useful example for me to follow. I had been thinking about connections between her work and Aquarian Conspiracy, I had - in the intervening years - added my own content to this work; in which the Utopia folks request that Connie engage in specific lifestyle-actions or intention-based actions that will (in and of themselves) result in their version of reality becoming stronger. But I really didn't find content like that exactly. In fact, I was a bit disappointed in that they clearly put a high priority on contacting her, they intimate to Connie that she's important, but it's never really clear: important in what way? Or perhaps it is clear, but I was so set on reading what I had imagined was written, I was distracted from the actual printed story. Because, from A.C. and other things, I've developed a personal belief that every action of ours strengthens 'a' future reality, and we constantly get to choose which reality we strengthen. I had hoped to read that clearly here, but couldn't find it.None the less, it was fascinating and delightful and nourishing and pleasurable for me.. Now that I am familiar with Proulx, I do find similarities between the two. The difference for me is that, while Piercy can be just as brutal, she does provide offsetting pleasure - Proulx (in my experience) really doesn't. I like that about Piercy. But I enjoy their searingly honest writing very much as well.

Original initial GR review: Loved it, read it long ago, still comes to mind regularly - as to the choices we make, and potential impacts. For instance. Initially read around Jan 1987 I think....more

Truly wonderful and amazing. I'd loved this as a child, and although mine never was as much a bookworm as me, she also did.

In college I did a paper oTruly wonderful and amazing. I'd loved this as a child, and although mine never was as much a bookworm as me, she also did.

In college I did a paper on it, in my master's-level class on 'Chaos and Complexity'. The reason was that it turns out that all these different sorts of people think it's written solely for and about them: mathematicians, gamers, politicians, musicians, writers, etc.. It's a complex system in that way, and still endlessly fascinates me....more

Read it, loved it. It starts out happy and fun, then things go wrong (which kids enjoy, it's practically slapstick), then there is a decision (which kRead it, loved it. It starts out happy and fun, then things go wrong (which kids enjoy, it's practically slapstick), then there is a decision (which kids can understand) and an excellent resolution. Speaks well against the escape mentality, so has great message-content besides being a pleasurable experience. ...more

I'd read Aesop's fables as a kid and really liked them - I remember one in particular about a young man who was traveling, and he came to a town and sI'd read Aesop's fables as a kid and really liked them - I remember one in particular about a young man who was traveling, and he came to a town and stayed for a bit. Over time he became aware that the town had a huge problem - their bowls were getting to be too small to hold any food! He looked, and realized their bowls had food caked on them, and it was that caked-on food which was making the eating part smaller. He showed them how to remove the food from the inside of the bowl, and the problem was solved. Excellent metaphor for people who are caught in a way of looking at things, and it can take an outsider to see things clearly. Kind of in synch with a lot of 'Zen and the Art of Motorcyle Maintenance'.

Anyway, one thing I was reading about this said that Aesop's Fables quite possibly were descendents of this, so I'm interested in reading it for that reason, as well as general interest.

Although that same reviewer mentioned that some is lost in translation - perhaps one day I can get this in the native language as well and read it that way!...more

We caught this at a store around the time or soon after my daughter was learning about the Underground Railroad in school - so was excellent. The pictWe caught this at a store around the time or soon after my daughter was learning about the Underground Railroad in school - so was excellent. The pictures are awesome, and I believe this one has allusions to the African-American theme of flying out of safety. It's a poignant mix of powerful/powerlessness; fear and safety; grief and joy. Highly recommend....more

I have *a* copy of this, not sure if it's this one; but as time nears to read it, it's great to hear about different versions.And the more synopsis II have *a* copy of this, not sure if it's this one; but as time nears to read it, it's great to hear about different versions.And the more synopsis I come across the better, will really help me while reading it to absorb as much as possible....more

Umm, very potentially fun - or not. Very curious! I think this is the first book that I've become aware of that apparently contains knowledgeable, resUmm, very potentially fun - or not. Very curious! I think this is the first book that I've become aware of that apparently contains knowledgeable, respectful content about the pagan practices of Ireland. Just what I'm looking for on a day like today!

This book is three complete contents, perfectly interspersed. One: a loving immersion into Persian literature from ancient to modern days, as well asThis book is three complete contents, perfectly interspersed. One: a loving immersion into Persian literature from ancient to modern days, as well as many warm embraces to literatures of other peoples and places also. This immersion includes not simply sharing of various literature snippets, but a great deal about the effect of fiction on the human psyche: what effect it can and should have on a people. The very power it holds over the human species. Highly recommend to any who writes, or reads, or is human (ok, slightly exaggerating, but not much. Really). In fact, literature is so much a presence in this book, her first addendum after the acknowledgements (there are four unique ones) is a suggested reading list, giving details of the referred-to content: Forough Farrokhzad, Golshiri, Ferdowsi, Gorgani, so many more.. all translated. This list doesn't include all the non-Iranian fiction mentioned.. really, this book calls out for an index- between the political content and the literary content, the family content also of course.

The second content: Iran's history, 20th century. Fascinating look from the inside at the motifs and textures of the administration of Iran, from a person on the inside who herself - and/or her family - had contact with a wide range of people at the core of the country. This part was very illuminating for me. And not just about Iran, but also I imagine it can be extended to other Islam-based countries. For instance, this section, about life in Iran in the early Eighties: "Since almost all aspects of public life had been restricted or banned, out private domains took on the function of public forums. Our houses became our restaurants, bars, movie houses and theaters, concert halls, public forums on literature, the arts, and politics. True, these free zones were threatened constantly by a state that could at any time of day or night raid our houses and confiscate the alcohol, gambling cards, makeup forbidden books, and videos. They could arrest us on charges of immorality.And yet in those days there was a suppressed excitement that belied the anxiety and fear-- or, now that I think of it, perhaps the two fed off and strengthened each other. While the country was torn apart by war and besieged by repressive laws, daily arrests, and executions, beneath the surface, just underground, there were mutinous acts and shows of resistence that constantly frustrated and subverted teh powers of the state. An act as normal and mundane as having a party with men and women where drinks were serve, music was played, and perhpas a movie was watched.. had to be undertaken with caution, curtains drawn, so that it became something very special, like a stolen eclair." - I can't help but wonder if that captures a flavor that - atleast in part - is also tasted at various times in countries like Pakistan, perhaps Saudi Arabia, Iraq, etc..Azar also made clear how various forces came together to result in the overthrow of the Shah, nearly 100% of which were disappointed by the outcomes. Almost had echoes of Hitler's rise - people not listening to the clearly-available actual plan of the Ayatollah, instead hearing only that part of his mesage that suited their needs. Very dangerous, again.The third content of this book is Azar's family: and it could be said to be the core of the book. Any female who thinks she has a difficult relationship with her mother could try this one on for size, I think she'll find trading doesn't appeal. All the members of her family and close friends are well-drawn and complex. The pacing didn't always suit me, but I believe it did serve the content well.

So, three distinct contents, knitted together into an intricate tapestry reminiscent of beloved Persian artwork. All three are present from page one to the end, all three support the other two alternating with taking their own spot in the limelight. Really a fascinating work. ...more